Set in the gritty past of Brooklyn, this book explores its transformation from a perilous area rife with mobsters and gangs to a vibrant neighborhood. It delves into the criminal activities that once plagued the streets, where violence and lawlessness were rampant, allowing heinous acts to go unpunished. The narrative captures the dark history of the borough, shedding light on the notorious figures and events that shaped its dangerous reputation.
The narrative delves into the life of Carmine "Sonny" DiBiase, a notorious Mafia hitman who transformed from a street punk into a feared killer. Known for his violent temper, especially when intoxicated, DiBiase's criminal journey includes a series of brutal acts, leading to his involvement in the assassination of Joey "Crazy Joe" Gallo during a Mafia turf war. The book reveals the complexities of DiBiase's life, including his time on the FBI's Most Wanted list and his controversial acquittals, ultimately shedding light on the true events surrounding Gallo's murder.
The bloodsoaked saga of the Murder, Inc. legend who helped create the modern American Mafia—one body at a time—featuring shocking eyewitness accounts . . . Umberto “Albert” Anastasia was born in Italy at the turn of the century. Five decades later, he would be gunned down in a barber shop in New York City. What happened in the years in between—and why every crime family had reason to want him dead—is one of the most brutal and fascinating stories in the history of American organized crime. This in-depth account of the man who became one of the most powerful and homicidal crime bosses of the twentieth century from Mafia insider Frank Dimatteo is the first full-length book to chronicle Anastasia’s bloody rise from fresh-off-the-boat immigrant to founder of the notorious killer’s club Murder, Inc.—featuring never-before-told accounts from those who feared him most . . . They called him “The One Man Army.” “Mad Hatter.” “Lord High Executioner.” Albert Anastasia came to America mean and became a prolific killer. His merciless assassination of Mafia godfather Vincent Mangano is recounted here in chilling first-hand detail. He set the record: the first man in the history of American justice to be charged with four separate murders—and walk free after each one. But in the end, he was the last obstacle in rival Mafia hoodlum Vito Genovese’s dream of becoming the boss of bosses—and paid the ultimate price . . .
The shocking true story of the most ruthless and deadly mob boss in the annals of the American Mafia. In the golden age of organized crime, Carmine “The Snake” Persico was the King of the Streets. The defacto boss of the Colombo Mafia family since the 1970s, he oversaw gang wars, murders, and major rackets, even from prison. He is suspected of personally murdering as many as 60 people and ordering the hits of hundreds more. Sentenced to 139 years in the fed, he continued to exert power over a vast criminal empire from behind bars. His brutal rise and bloody reign is the stuff of Mafia legend. In this blistering street-level account, “Mafia survivor” Frank Dimatteo teams up with true-crime master Michael Benson to take down one of the most notorious figures in the American La Cosa Nostra. This is the terrifying inside story of Carmine “The Snake” Persico, from his crime-filled childhood on the streets of Brooklyn to the longterm jail sentences that didn’t stop him from controlling his criminal empire with the help of his brother, the equally kill-crazy Alphonse “Allie Boy” Persico .
"Mondo the Dwarf, Frankie Shots and Tony "Little Lolly Pop" Carna ... were the President Street Boys. Frank was born into a family of mob hitmen. His father Ricky and godfather were shooters and bodyguards to the Gallo brothers. From the old school Mafia dons to the new-breed "independents" ... the author describes his experiences growing up in the old neighborhood, getting his cheeks pinched by Crazy Joe Gallo ... Watching the Gallos wage an all-out war against wiseguys with more power ... deathbed confessions ... stunning betrayals."-- Back cover